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Ride 2 Recovery on NBC Nightly News

After gathering for a group photo on Day Five, the cyclists pushed off from Pismo Beach and headed south for Solvang. The 70-mile ride culminated in a concert for the wounded warriors and 900 others, all of whom were entertained by Dennis Miller and Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik. (Photo courtesy of Ride 2 Recovery)

Our friends over at Ride 2 Recovery recently completed their 7-day “Golden State Challenge.” Approximately 200 cyclists – many wounded warriors – made the 463-mile road trip from San Francisco to Santa Monica in order to improve the health and wellness of injured veterans by providing a life changing experience that can impact their lives forever.

“There were so many points where I wanted to quit, but you see the person next to you or in front of you and they are pushing you, they are handing you water … they don’t let you quit,” Percy Banks, a Van Nuys resident and Navy veteran, told the Los Angeles Daily News.

“You just get this great feeling when you’re riding with your fellow veterans, you’re relaxing on your bike with the scenery … everybody is talking and telling stories,” Adam Volchok said in the same interview.

Volchok, an Army medic who was stationed in Afghanistan from 2002 through 2003, was one of more than 200 injured military veterans who participated in the ride that took cyclists from the coast of San Francisco to Santa Monica in seven days.

Sporting slightly sun-burned cheeks, Volchok admitted the ride presented him with one of the biggest challenges he’d ever had, especially as he tried to make his way through the hills of Big Sur during a 93-mile leg of the ride.

But the 30-year-old said as he neared the end of the ride, he felt like he could go for another 60 miles. “This was a great way to end this amazing, challenging, inspiring ride,” said Chatsworth resident Adam Volchok.

The “Golden State Challenge” was featured NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams a few days ago. Check it out!